500 Year Reformation Celebration - eight things we affirm
Martin Luther’s great moment of theological clarification came at the climax of a command performance. Facing the threat of martyrdom and execution, Luther appeared on trial at the Diet of Worms before the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire . Asked on what authority he dared to defy the Pope and the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church , Luther famously replied: “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason-for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves–I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture , which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.” To those words were added: “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me.” The Diet of Worms was held in 1521. At the conclusion of his defense, Luther simply sa...